Women honored at 2013 ATHENA awards

Saturday

Nov 16, 2013 at 7:11 PMNov 16, 2013 at 7:11 PM

By Melody Burri melody@messengerpostmedia.com

CANANDAIGUA — Residents gathered in full force Friday to honor 16 outstanding women who lead, serve and give with unflagging commitment to the Canandaigua community.More than 400 wined and dined at the Finger Lakes Community College Student Center in Hopewell Nov. 15 — the largest number to attend any of the 29 annual ATHENA events, presented again this year by the Canandaigua Area Chamber of Commerce and Professional Women of the Finger Lakes.Two top awards were presented at the event. Stephanie Kunes-Mincer, president and CEO of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Upstate New York Chapter, received the ATHENA award. And Erica Bapst, Owner of Adorn Jewelry & Accessories, received the ATHENA Young Professional Leadership award.“It feels amazing,” said Kunes-Mincer after her name was announced. “Being a part of that ATHENA family is overwhelming. There are so many women who have just accomplished so much. I was speechless, to be honest with you.”The ATHENA award celebrates professional accomplishments and leadership, community service, and assistance given to help other women to reach their full potential. Kunes-Mincer shared a word of advice for other women in leadership.“Find your passion,” she said. “Do good and you’ll be changed. Live your dream — don’t live someone else’s. And don’t give up.”She said most of her inspiration has come from the people she’s worked with at the MS Society.“I do as much as I can to help them and to make life better, to improve quality of life,” Kunes-Mincer said. “I don’t want to give up — I want to keep advocating for people who are living with MS until we find a cure and I can lock my office door for the last time and go home.”The ATHENA Young Professional Leadership award, given to Erica Bapst, honors an emerging woman leader, 40 years or younger, who demonstrates excellence, creativity and initiative in her business or profession, provides a valuable service that improves the quality of life for others, and clearly serves as a role model for young women both personally and professionally.“The group of women who were in this group of nominees have done so much — so, so much,” said Bapst after the ceremony Friday. “I feel like I’ve only done a fraction of what everybody’s done. I’m just grateful and humble. I’ll just make sure I’ll do what I can to pass on the encouragement and people can help see their dreams through.”Bapst opened her own jewelry store at the age of 25 in 2004. This year she moved that store — Adorn Jewelry & Accessories — to South Main Street in Canandaigua, increasing her visibility and tripling her retail and studio space.Her advice to young women chasing their dreams: Believe in yourself, and do what you can to help those along the way.“My mother has been my rock throughout everything — the process of starting a business, everything,” said Bapst. “She’s always there to support me and make sure I’m able to do what I feel that I need to do. Beyond that, there are many, many people in the community who have planted that seed of encouragement within me, that whatever I do — beyond my family, beyond my own personal gain — actually matters in the community.”In addition to the two ATHENA awards, the 2013 ATHENA scholarship was given to Susan Welch, massage therapist and owner of Island Wellness in Geneva.A media presentation spotlighted all ten of this year’s ATHENA Award nominees. A silent auction was also held, and a portion of proceeds from the event went to women’s scholarships. The evening was made possible through the support of Randall Farnsworth Auto Group, Ameriprise Financial, EFP Rotenberg, LLP, Five Star Bank, and LaBella Associates, P.C.